Nearly 1.2 lakh new throat cancer cases diagnosed annually in India

03 September, Hyderabad

The Apollo Cancer Institute, Hyderabad organised a national level conference on Cancer of the Larynx (voice box) – FHNO South East Zonal Conference on Larynx Cancer, here Saturday.

Addressing the conference, Dr Umanath Nayak, Head and Neck cancer surgeon, Apollo Ccancer Institute said that Cancer of the Larynx, referred to as throat cancer in lay-man terms, is one of the common cancers affecting males in the country and comprises nearly 10-15 per cent of all cancers.Nearly 1.2 lakh new throat cancer cases are diagnosed annually in India.

The disease not only presents challenges in treatment, but also in rehabilitation of these patients as there are major effects on speech and swallowing following treatment, he said.

The Head and Neck department of Apollo Hospitals has been in the forefront in managing and in rehabilitation of these patients through their unique concept of ‘The Laryngectomee Society’ – a self-help survivor group of throat cancer victims, he said.

In addition, latest treatment modalities such as Laser surgery and Robotic surgery are being used by the doctors in the department to treat early cancers with minimal side-effects, he added.

Over 100 doctors specialising in this area deliberated on the latest technologies and treatment options currently available for managing cancer of the Larynx at the conference.